Community Remembers School Resource Officer Justin Payne

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — A Loudoun County sheriff's deputy serving as a school resource officer died suddenly, according to an announcement by the sheriff's office on Wednesday.

Deputy First Class Justin Payne started with the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office in April 2005 as a patrol deputy. He was assigned as a school resource officer in 2008 and served at Sterling Middle School, and most recently at John Champe High School.

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office told Patch there are no further details available at this time surrounding Payne's death.

"Justin understood the importance of an SRO, showing an interest in each student’s academics and extracurricular activities. He served as a mentor to many of them and we know he touched the lives of countless others, including his brothers and sisters here at the LCSO," the department said in their announcement.

Condolences in the form of Facebook comments piled up quickly, offering memories and thanking Payne.

"This is incredibly sad news. Deputy Payne was a great role model to my boy and was a part of the reason why he has decided to study criminal justice when he starts college in the fall. RIP. Prayers for his family," one poster said.

"This is so sad, I remember always seeing him around the halls, he was very friendly and kept us safe May he Rest In Peace," another said.

"Prayers. Justin was an absolute amazing man. I always looked up to him," another commenter posted.

Payne also served on the sheriff's SWAT team and Rapid Response Unit.